Carter’s troop-mate during the battle, former Staff Sgt. Clinton L. Romesha, received the Medal of Honor earlier this year. They were part of a small American force at COP Keating when an enemy force estimated to number more than 300 attacked the outpost intent on overrunning the outnumbered U.S. forces. Eight Americans were killed and about two dozen others were wounded, but the soldiers fended off the enemy.

Carter is the 12th service member to receive the Medal of Honor in as many years of war in Iraq and Afghanistan.

He enlisted in the Marine Corps out of high school, serving as a combat engineer and, later, a marksmanship instructor. He was busted down in rank for fighting, according to journalist Jake Tapper’s book “The Outpost,” and left the Corps in 2002 as a lance corporal.

Carter worked a series of odd jobs over the next five years before rejoining the military as a soldier.